The Wilmingtonian., 1887-10-29
BY R. A. RILEY.

Stories of shipwreok are common. The
wide ocean swallows up many who venture
upon its treaoherous waters, and many who
escape with their lives, after their vessel has
gone down into the briny flood, can only
look back with shudder of horror at the
perils and privations they have passed
through.
In the days before steamships were in
vogue, the well-built and seaworthy brig
Tornado, commanded by Captain John Muir
ray, used to make an occasional trip be-
tween the city of New Orleans and the city
of New York,carrying such passengersasem-
barked on board the vessel at New Orleans.
Among this number was slender young
girl, about seventeen years ofage, of remark
able beauty, who had been placed in charge
of the captain by her relatives, with the re-
quest that she should be landed at Charles
ton, South Carolina, where the vessel expect
ed to touch. This young girl was named
Adelaide Bronson, who had been on a visit
to her brother in New Orleans, and now re.
turning TO her parents in Charleston. The
passengers soon discovered that, in addition
to being remarkably beautiful, Adelaide
was very intelligent, and possessed all other
qualities necessary to insure admiration
Captain John Murray felt his heart warm
toward her from the first. The Captain
was not, as one might suppose, rough old
'sea dog" who by years of command over
his men had acquired bluff air and
stern demeanor, but was young, with
handsome, pleasant face and courteous air,
yet the set of his mouth and the stately
poise of his head showed that he possessed a
will-power that would carry him through
dangers and difficulties wherein vast ma
jority would fail. His men loved, respected.
feared, and obeyed him.
Captain Murray was unmarried, and it
was natural that his heart should warm to-
ward the most lovable, the most beautiful
female he had ever beheld; and he conducted
himself toward her with his natural gallant
ry, and showed her those delicate attentions
which lady of her intelligence could duly
appreciate. The voyage was commenced
under favorable auspices. After having
once cleared the Mississippi, smacking
breeze carried the brig swiftly forward upon
her course.
sat this rate, said the Captain to his
mate, 1--WE shall be opposite to Havana in
two days at the furthest." The vessel sped
onward under the influence of the tine
breeze, and in a little less than forty eight
hours had arrived at Key West City, on
Key West Island, south of Florida, which is
about one hundred and fifty miles north
west of Havana. Stopping here for few
hours, the brig resumed her course, steering
south of the Florida Reefs, upon which SO
many vessels are annually wrecked. For five
or six hours the vessel kept steadily on it's
way. All at orce there burst upon the brig
one of those sudden and furious storms SO
common in that latitude. 1t came up SO
quickly that they had not time to prepare
the vessel before it was upon them.
Bronzed-cheeked- sailors turned pale who
had never felt fear before, for in spite of all
the efforts of the gallant crew, the furious
tornado was bearing its namesake directly
toward the fatal Florida Reefs. Onward
the vessel rushed, sounding under bare
poles, for every sail was split to ribbons.
The chain Of low islands called the Florida
Reefs was not yet in view when the storm
began to lull and hope sprang up once more.
A storm stay-sail was tried and found TO
bear. Other sails were being bent, when
suddenly crashing, grating noise was
heard along the vessels keel.
"Ah we're done for now," ex claimed the
Captain to his first mate; "we have rushed
over one of the sunken reefs. Go below
and see whIt is the damage, while order
the men to man the pumps so as to have
them ready in case we eau do any good with
them."
"Ay ay sir" responded the mate, as he
bounded down into the hold He soon re
turned, with an ashen hue upon his face,
sad: II fear, sir, the pumps will be of little
use; the water is rushing in at a dozen great
rents faster than forty times the number of
pumps we have could pump it out"
SLOW long do you suppose we can keep
afoat ?" asked the Captain calmly, though
his face expressed the anxiety he felt.
"Twenty minutes, and not more than
thirty at the furthest."
The gurglng sound of the water rushing
into the hold was now plainly to be heard.
The passengers were collected around, hold
ing on as best they could to keep the lurch-
ing of the vessel from throwing them over
board, and manifesting great distress, with
the exception of a small group who had COL
lected near the Captain, and among this
group was Adelaide Bronson. Captain Mur-
ray gave one glance upon Adelaide, hope
less, longing glance, and then looked out
upon the stormy sea. The waves were dash